Written Answers

Wednesday 23 February 2000

Scottish Executive

Aggregates Tax

Fergus Ewing (Inverness East, Nairn and Lochaber) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will carry out any consultation to determine the impact of an aggregates tax on jobs, roads and the environment in Scotland and, in particular, whether it will consult local authorities as to cost implications of any additional traffic and road maintenance costs arising from rural quarry closures.

Sarah Boyack: I refer the Member to the answer given to question S1W-2791.

Community Care

Dr Elaine Murray (Dumfries) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what advice it gives to councils regarding client choice in the allocation of places for respite and permanent residential care.

Iain Gray: Scottish Executive advice to local authorities is set out in Circular SWSG5/93 Social Work (Scotland) Act 1968 (Choice of Accommodation) Directions 1993. The Directions are intended to ensure people have a genuine choice over where they receive residential care whether for respite or for permanent care.

E-Commerce

David Mundell (South of Scotland) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive how many of its staff are engaged in the task of promoting and supporting e-commerce.

Henry McLeish: : E-commerce is an enabling technology and the term is capable of wide interpretation. It is estimated that there are currently 72 staff working within the core and associated departments of the Scottish Executive who are wholly or partly engaged in business processes, improvements in public service delivery and the promotion and support of information and communication technologies who could fall within a reasonable definition of e-commerce. This estimate excludes staff in agencies and non Departmental Public Bodies engaged in similar tasks.

E-Commerce

David Mundell (South of Scotland) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it has taken to carry out the actions recommended in the report by the Cabinet Office entitled e-commerce@its.best.uk .

Henry McLeish: : A range of actions is already in hand. Many of the report’s recommendations concern reserved matters which are being taken forward at a UK level. On those recommendations for which the Scottish Executive has responsibility we will be contributing to a comprehensive progress report, which is being prepared for the Prime Minister by the Office of the e-envoy. The report is due to be published on the e-envoy’s website (www.e-envoy.gov.uk) at the end of February. Further reports will follow.

Education

Nicola Sturgeon (Glasgow) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions it has had with Her Majesty’s Government regarding the extension of the Disability Discrimination Act to education, as recommended by the Disability Rights Taskforce.

Mr Sam Galbraith: Equal Opportunities, including the Disability Discrimination Act, are reserved. The Executive is working closely with the UK Government to ensure that legislation to implement the education recommendations of the Disability Rights Task Force Report will fully address the needs of disabled pupils and students in Scotland.

Elderly People

Christine Grahame (South of Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive which of the five recommendations of the Scottish Health Advisory Service report Services for older people in the Southern Highlands, published on 5 November 1999, have been actioned; how the recommendations have been actioned; what the timetable is for full implementation and who is responsible for monitoring progress on the recommendations.

Iain Gray: At its meeting on 1 February, Highland Health Board discussed and agreed an action plan for implementing each of the five recommendations contained in the Scottish Health Advisory Service report. The plan will be taken forward in partnership with the Highland NHS Trusts and the Highland Council in the context of a local strategy for care of older people. The target dates for implementation of four of the recommendations range between May and August this year. The remaining one (relating to a manpower review) will be completed by April 2001.

  The Scottish Health Advisory Service will follow up progress on implementation of the recommendations, but the Scottish Executive will also monitor how they are being taken forward. We would expect any plans for improvements to services for older people to be reflected in the Health Improvement Programme for Highland and in the Trust Implementation Plans for 2000-01.

Emergency Planning

Bruce Crawford (Mid Scotland and Fife) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what emergency response plans it has for an accident or incident at the Ministry of Defence weapons and armoury storage facility at Crombie, Fife.

Angus MacKay: Emergency response plans for accidents or incidents occurring within the Crombie storage facility are a matter for MOD.

  I understand, however, that while the facility is exempt from the Control of Major Accident Hazards Regulations 1999, the MOD have prepared, in co-operation with local authority and emergency services, plans to protect people and the environment in the surrounding area from the effect of any incident at the facility.

Energy

Mr Kenny MacAskill (Lothians) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it is taking to stimulate the use of solar energy in Scotland.

Sarah Boyack: The Executive is committed to the promotion of renewable energy, and we are determined that Scotland will play a full part in developing this important long term energy resource.

  Solar energy takes several forms such a passive solar design, active solar heating and photovoltaics. I understand that the 16th European Photovoltaics Conference and Exhibition will be held in Glasgow in May 2000 with Government support, and that BP Solar is seeking projects in the Glasgow area to coincide with the conference. In addition, organisations in Scotland are able to submit proposals for inclusion in the New and Renewable Energy Programme operated by the DTI on a UK basis; this includes a solar programme. Scottish schools and colleges are also able to apply to the Foresight Scolar programme to have a photovoltaics system installed at a third of the total cost. Four Scottish schools have already submitted applications.

Energy

Tavish Scott (Shetland) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions it has had with Her Majesty's Government to develop a strategy for the development of renewable energy schemes in Scotland as part of the overall UK strategy to meet international obligations to reduce the burning of fossil fuels.

Sarah Boyack: The Scottish Executive is firmly committed to the promotion of renewable energy, which is an executively devolved matter. The Department of Trade and Industry is currently reviewing the mechanisms required to achieve the generation of 10% of the UK’s electricity from renewable energy sources by 2010. The Scottish Executive has participated in this review since its inception, and is determined that Scotland will pay a full part in meeting the target.

Energy

Tavish Scott (Shetland) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has assessed the cost benefit to Scotland of the development of renewable energy resources in terms of both savings in costs associated with dealing with climate change and benefits from the development of jobs.

Sarah Boyack: The Scottish Executive is firmly committed to the promotion of renewable energy, which is an executively devolved matter. This policy takes account of the contribution which renewable energy can make to climate change mitigation, as well as the economic benefits of renewable energy projects themselves and the economic development opportunities that these technologies may bring to Scotland.

Energy

Tavish Scott (Shetland) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it intends to develop wave power schemes in Scotland in order to generate electricity from wave power and create employment opportunities for Scotland’s engineering and construction industries.

Sarah Boyack: To date the mechanism for encouraging the development of renewable energy projects in Scotland has been the Scottish Renewables Obligation (SRO), the third round of which was announced last year. The support offered under the SRO is designed to enable renewable technologies to become more competitive and to gain a foothold in the market. The third round included support for wave energy for the first time, and three contracts for wave energy were awarded to developers. In addition, in March, the Government announced a new wave energy R&D programme as part of the Department of Trade and Industry’s (DTI) New and Renewable Energy Programme.

Energy

Tavish Scott (Shetland) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has produced guidelines to achieve a balance between support for the development of wind farms and the protection of the natural environment and, if not, when such guidelines will be produced.

Tavish Scott (Shetland) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has produced guidelines to achieve a balance between support for the development of small hydroelectric schemes and the protection of the natural environment and, if not, when such guidelines will be produced.

Tavish Scott (Shetland) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive whether the current planning process as applied to applications for the development of wind farms and small hydroelectric schemes requires protection of the environment to be balanced against the interests of developers.

Sarah Boyack: Guidance on renewable energy, including windfarms and hydroelectric schemes, is contained in National Planning Policy Guideline (NPPG) 6: Renewable Energy and Planning Advice Note (PAN) 45: Renewable Energy Technologies, which were issued in 1994. NPPG6 states that "planning authorities should seek through their policies and decisions to provide positively for renewable energy developments, where this can be achieved in an environmentally acceptable manner". NPPG6 is currently under review and we intend to issue revised guidance by summer 2000.

Energy

Robin Harper (Lothians) (Green): To ask the Scottish Executive what action it proposes to take "to pursue schemes of support for community wind projects as a means of actively fostering local interest and support" as recommended by the recent report by the House of Lords Select Committee on European Communities Electricity from Renewables.

Sarah Boyack: The third Order under the Scottish Renewables Obligation made specific provision for support for small scale wind projects. The aim is to encourage small, locally-based companies and communities to get involved in electricity generation from wind turbines.

Energy

Robin Harper (Lothians) (Green): To ask the Scottish Executive what action it is taking or proposing to take to ensure that the manufacturing industry takes advantage of any opportunities that are opened up by the programme for an expansion in renewable energy generation.

Sarah Boyack: Although the response of manufacturing industry to the opportunities that arise from the increasing use of renewable energy is largely a matter for the commercial judgement of those companies involved, one of the objectives of the Scottish Renewable Obligation has always been to provide a stimulus to the manufacturers of such generation equipment.

  The Scottish Executive is well aware that the planned growth in the use of renewable energy should present significant opportunities for employment creation, especially in rural areas. Both the Executive and Scottish Enterprise are in touch with companies which are already engaged in the renewable energy industry in Scotland, and with others which have an interest in this field to ensure that the potential benefits presented by Scotland are promoted to the fullest extent.

Energy

Robin Harper (Lothians) (Green): To ask the Scottish Executive what action it is taking or proposing or take to engender public understanding about the environmental benefits of renewable energy as a contribution to achieving the United Kingdom’s renewable energy targets.

Sarah Boyack: It is important for all sectors of society to be aware of the environmental benefits of renewable energy. The public needs to understand the threats posed by climate change, and to be aware of the various measures that can be taken to reduce carbon emissions, including those to increase the availability of renewable energy. The issuing of a consultation document on climate change, along with the attendant publicity, will be designed to help that process of public understanding. For renewable energy to obtain wider acceptance, for instance under the green electricity tariff schemes which are being promoted by several electricity suppliers, it is also important that electricity from renewable sources should come at no extra cost or at a cost that is acceptable to consumers.

Environment

Mr Kenneth Gibson (Glasgow) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to restrict housing and large scale retail development on Green Belt land and encourage development on brownfield sites.

Sarah Boyack: The Executive’s policies on the location of housing and retail development are set out in National Planning Policy Guidelines 3: Land for Housing and 8: Town Centres and Retailing. NPPG3 indicates that priority should be given to the re-use of urban brownfield sites wherever possible and that the release of sites in the Green Belt should be considered only in exceptional circumstances. NPPG8 contains a firm commitment to the protection and enhancement of existing town centres in preference to sites outwith town centres. This guidance indicates that new retail developments should not conflict with Green Belt policy.

Environment

Andrew Wilson (Central Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive whether the land previously covered by the Ravenscraig Steelworks has been restored to habitable levels.

Sarah Boyack: British Steel has carried out extensive work on this site, but even now this work is not yet completed and parts of the site are still to some extent contaminated, and may need further remediation. There are however other large parts of the site which were never used for the steel plant and are not contaminated, and in effect these are greenfield sites.

  The extent of the contamination (and other infrastructure constraints) was a key consideration when Lanarkshire Development Agency drew up the Ravenscraig Masterplan. The consultants looked in detail at the ground conditions, the possible end uses, likely method of remediation required and likely cost. A fairly detailed matrix was produced along with a Remediation Strategy as part of the Masterplanning process. The location of the various uses shown in the current Masterplan – urban village; business park; town centre; area for commercial development, and the residential neighbourhood – in effect represent the optimum locations for each type of development, taking into account cost and value along with design considerations.

  There is also a Secure Containment Facility, covering an area of 30 acres out of the total site area of 1,125 acres. This facility, which contains contaminated material removed from elsewhere on the site, is intended for landscaping purposes only.

Environment

Robin Harper (Lothians) (Green): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it intends to amend the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 to increase site and species protection in Scotland.

Sarah Boyack: In relation to the site protection (Part II) provisions of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, we intend to bring forward soon proposals for policy and legislative changes to implement our commitment in the Partnership for Scotland Agreement to protect Sites of Special Scientific Interest.

  A separate exercise is being carried out in relation to the species provisions (Part I) of the 1981 Act. The Partnership for Action Against Wildlife Crime, Scottish Working Group, is presently considering a number of proposals for amendments to the legislation with particular regard to the prevention of wildlife crime. I expect to receive formal recommendations from the Partnership shortly.

Environment

Mr Murray Tosh (South of Scotland) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it maintains a central register of all waste-incineration facilities in Scotland, and of the quantities and categories of materials sent annually for incineration.

Sarah Boyack: The Scottish Executive does not maintain a central register of waste incineration facilities in Scotland or records of the quantities and categories of materials sent annually for incineration. Waste incinerators in Scotland are regulated by the Scottish Environment Protection Agency which holds public registers giving information about each incinerator. Such information includes the types of waste that may be disposed of, monitoring data and, where appropriate, details of the quantities of waste which may be burnt in a specified period.

Health

Mrs Margaret Smith (Edinburgh West) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to reduce and improve the use of bank and agency nurses in light of the Accounts Commission for Scotland’s report Temporary Measures .

Susan Deacon: I am determined that there will be a further reduction in the use of bank and agency nurses. I welcome the Accounts Commission report as it provides us with clear data on this issue, as well as many examples of good practice.

  Those Trusts responsible for the heaviest use of bank and agency nurses are already in the process of introducing new practices to rectify the situation. My officials will be working with the Scottish Partnership Forum and with NHS Trusts to ensure that further improvements are made in this area.

Homelessness

Karen Whitefield (Airdrie and Shotts) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive whether a decision has been reached on the allocation of funding following the most recent round of bidding for funds from the Rough Sleepers Initiative.

Ms Wendy Alexander: I am very pleased to be able to announce that I have agreed the disbursement of next round of RSI funds, based on the recommendations of the RSI Advisory Group. These recommendations identify projects to be funded throughout Scotland. I have accepted the Advisory Group’s recommendations on the level of funding and that funding for new projects in Edinburgh and Glasgow should be determined in relation to a comprehensive strategy for addressing rough sleeping in the two cities.

  We are supporting a total of 57 projects throughout Scotland to deliver on our three new priorities:-

  Meeting needs beyond the central belt, including rural areas.

  Preventing people having to sleep rough through direct support such as rent deposit schemes.

  Specialist support for those at the greatest risk of rough sleeping, including prisoners.

  The projects include:

  Twelve specialist accommodation projects to provide 146 places for those at risk of rough sleeping.

  Ten rent deposit schemes, providing 250 tenancies a year for people who would have problems finding deposits. Deposit schemes are effective in helping homeless people get and keep tenancies, even if they have been in rent arrears in the past.

  23 outreach projects, with 32 staff, to connect rough sleepers with mainstream services and help them off the streets.

  Five resettlement projects with 11 support staff to help homeless people move out of hostels and back into communities.

  Twelve specialist support projects to tackle the needs of those the research shows are most likely to end up on the streets. These will provide or develop housing support projects in eleven prisons to reduce the risk of prisoners losing their accommodation while inside and help them on their release. They also include addiction and mental health projects to help vulnerable people keep a roof over their heads.

  The Report of the Advisory Group is being published today and copies will be made available in the Scottish Parliament Information Centre.

  Table of Awards by Authority:

Justice

Pauline McNeill (Glasgow Kelvin) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive when the Scottish Legal Aid Board will report on its pilot project to increase the number of repayment months in contributions of £500 or over.

Mr Jim Wallace: The Scottish Legal Aid Board has been undertaking an internal pilot study to assess the likely impact on legal aid expenditure of an extended regime of payments of contribution. Whilst decisions on the length of the repayment period for contributions are entirely an administrative matter for the Board, they are concerned that any extension to the repayment period could lead to pressure on public expenditure. At this time the results of the pilot study have not been fully analysed by the Board.

Justice

Mr Kenneth Gibson (Glasgow) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to ensure that people with mental health and learning difficulties have equal access to legal services.

Mr Jim Wallace: People with mental health and learning difficulties qualify for legal aid in the same way as any other person - by satisfying a number of statutory tests, one of which is financial eligibility. Regulations will be laid in this parliamentary session to enable those involved in certain mental health proceedings to be exempted from the financial eligibility and contributions tests in relation to assistance by way of representation.

  The Adults with Incapacity (Scotland) Bill will make provision for legal aid to be available to adults with incapacity and anyone else who wishes to use the measures provided for in the Bill, subject to the usual statutory tests being met.

  In addition, the Central Research Unit is undertaking a number of studies which look specifically at access to legal advice and services for people with mental health and learning difficulties and the results of these studies will be carefully assessed by the Scottish Executive Justice and Health Departments in the context of policy development on Adults with Incapacity and on mental health.

Marine Pollution

Tavish Scott (Shetland) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive when it received the consultation document on the National Contingency Plan for Marine Pollution from Her Majesty's Government, when its response to the document was submitted to Her Majesty's Government and whether copies of the response will be made available to the Parliament.

Sarah Boyack: The National Contingency Plan for Marine Pollution from Shipping and Offshore Installations has been under review since early 1997 with extensive consultation conducted through a Consultative Forum of interested parties, including Scottish local authorities. The Forum completed its consideration of the final draft on 8 November and Lord Macdonald, Minister for Transport, has written to me on the matter. A copy of the Plan will be placed in the Scottish Parliament Information Centre in due course.

Maritime Safety

Dr Winnie Ewing (Highlands and Islands) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will make representations to Her Majesty's Government on the need to retain the Coastguard service in Scotland and reopen those stations which were closed.

Sarah Boyack: The Scottish Executive is in regular contact with Her Majesty’s Government on a wide range of issues including matters relating to maritime safety and coastguard stations.

National Lottery Awards

Fergus Ewing (Inverness East, Nairn and Lochaber) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will make representations to Her Majesty’s Government regarding the decision by Awards for All to refuse any grant to the people of Fort William, through Fort William Community Council, for their celebration of the Millennium.

Mr Sam Galbraith: The Government are excluded from any part of decision-making on lottery awards. Such decisions are entirely a matter for the award-giving body. Applications to Awards for All can be submitted until April 2000 for future projects. Awards for All staff will be happy to advise on procedural aspects of making applications, while the Scottish Millennium Festival Adviser will be glad to offer general advice on aspects of the Millennium celebrations.

Planning

Hugh Henry (Paisley South) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will confirm that out-of-centre and out-of-town retail centres will not be classed as town centres for the purpose of applying the policies contained in the National Planning Policy Guideline 8.

Sarah Boyack: The classification is a matter for local councils, having regard to the guidance in NPPG 8: Town Centres and Retailing. The NPPG distinguishes between town centres, out-of-centre and out-of-town retail developments. The definition of town centres in the NPPG covers centres which provide a broad range of facilities and services and which fulfil a function as a focus for both the community and public transport. Generally town centre uses, buildings and public spaces have evolved over a considerable period of time.

Police

Dr Sylvia Jackson (Stirling) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will explain the underlying criteria used to derive the 2000-01 grant-aided expenditure figures for the police.

Mr Jim Wallace: The methodology used to distribute grant-aided expenditure to police authorities in 2000-01 was based largely on figures submitted to the Scottish Executive by the Association of Chief Police Officers in Scotland. The methodology took into account force needs including unavoidable costs such as pensions and commuted sums.

Public Appointments

Phil Gallie (South of Scotland) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive why the successful candidate for the post of President of Employment Tribunals (Scotland) will be expected to remain in the post until retirement; what timetable it is working to for the filling of this vacancy; whether this timetable will allow enough opportunity for a full and careful examination of all the applications received and for the successful candidate to clear any previous commitments; whether it believes that it can fill the vacancy by March 2000, and why the successful candidate can take part in the management of a family estate or be a landowner but not hold a commercial directorship.

Mr Jim Wallace: I refer the member to my answer to S1O-1172.

Superquarries

Rhoda Grant (Highlands and Islands) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive whether local authorities are required to identify sites for proposed superquarries in their structure plans.

Sarah Boyack: National Planning Policy Guideline 4, ( Land for Mineral Working) requires Highland, Western Isles and Shetland Islands Councils to consider identifying suitable opportunities for coastal quarries without significant detrimental environmental or socio-economic effects, and to include preferred locations for these in development plans.

Telecommunications

Robert Brown (Glasgow) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-1491 by Sarah Boyack on 9 September 1999, who has the power to ban the installation of telecommunications masts in locations such as schools and hospitals, whether it will make representations to said body to ban these masts in such areas and what powers, if any, does it have in relation to the planning aspects of this matter.

Sarah Boyack: : No government departments or agency has an explicit power to ban such installations as long as the operator complies with all relevant licence conditions, health and safety provisions and planning requirements. If the results of research into the non-established health effects of telecommunications installations persuaded the Executive that such a ban should be introduced, it would be necessary to consider whether the licensing regime, the Health and Safety regime or the planning regime might best be adapted to effect such a ban.

  Telecommunications operators may install masts in any location provided they have fulfilled all relevant licence obligations, health and safety requirements and planning procedures and have reached agreement with the occupier of the property. The Executive has no plans to pursue a ban on masts in locations such as schools and hospitals.

  The Executive is currently preparing amendments to planning legislation to enhance the degree of control that planning authorities have over the siting and appearance of telecommunications developments that benefit from permitted development rights.

Transport

Fergus Ewing (Inverness East, Nairn and Lochaber) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has received representations from the Federation of Small Business (FSB) in response to the consultation paper Tackling Congestion and, if so, what response the FSB has made in respect of "road tolling" and "the workplace parking levy".

Sarah Boyack: The Executive has received a response from the Federation of Small Businesses to its consultation paper Tackling Congestion . A copy of this response has been lodged with the Scottish Parliament Information Centre (SPICe).

Transport

Alasdair Morgan (Galloway and Upper Nithsdale) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what percentage of vehicular traffic on the A76 Dumfries-Cumnock section, A75 Dumfries-Stranraer section and A77 Stranraer-Girvan section is HGV traffic, and what is the average percentage for all Scottish roads.

Sarah Boyack: The average percentage of HGV traffic on the section of the A76 between Dumfries to Cumnock is 19%, 14% on the A75 between Dumfries and Stranraer and 14% on the A77 between Stranraer and Girvan. The average percentage for all Scottish major routes (i.e. trunk roads and principal roads) is 9%. The average percentage for all Scottish trunk routes is 12%.

Transport

Tavish Scott (Shetland) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has a policy for the development of Scottish ports and harbours and, if so, what consultation it has carried out, or plans to carry out, with the Scottish Port and Harbours Authorities on this policy.

Sarah Boyack: The Scottish Executive recognises the importance of developing ports and harbours as part of Scotland’s transport system and in providing trading links.

  A Ports Policy Paper is being prepared, following consultation with the industry, to provide a framework for the further development of ports in Scotland within the Executive’s integrated transport policy.

Transport

Dennis Canavan (Falkirk West): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will make representations to Railtrack and to ScotRail for the reopening of Bonnybridge Railway Station.

Sarah Boyack: Under the terms of the devolution settlement for railways announced on 31 March 1998, now incorporated in the UK Transport Bill introduced on 1 December 1999, the Scottish Ministers will be able to issue directions and guidance to the Strategic Rail Authority for the franchise providing passenger rail services which begin and end in Scotland. They will reflect strategic priorities for the provision of passenger rail services throughout Scotland. It would then be for the train operating company, in conjunction with Railtrack, to ensure the availability of the necessary infrastructure to meet the terms of the franchise.

Transport

Mr Murray Tosh (South of Scotland) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will commission research into the potential impact on the Scottish economy of the areas of serious traffic congestion on the trunk roads network identified in England and Wales by the Highways Agency.

Sarah Boyack: There is no intention to commission such research at present. In assessing ways of tackling traffic congestion in England and Wales, no distinction is made between Scottish, English or Welsh traffic. The solutions implemented as part of the English and Welsh trunk roads programmes will therefore provide benefits irrespective of traffic origin and destination. Economic benefits are assessed as part of the scheme appraisal process.

Transport

Mr Murray Tosh (South of Scotland) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive, in the light of the Minister for Transport and the Environment’s reply to my letter of 5 October 1999 in which she states her support for the A8000 project announced in the Strategic Roads Review, whether it is actively supportive of all other projects referred to local authorities in The Strategic Roads Review – Scheme Decisions .

Sarah Boyack: The M74 Northern Extension is the only other scheme referred back to local authorities to take forward. The views of the Scottish Executive on that project are set out in The Strategic Roads Review – Scheme Decisions , pages seven and eight.

Transport

Mr Kenny MacAskill (Lothians) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive when it will publish the Scottish Airports and Air Services Study.

Sarah Boyack: The findings from the Scottish Airports and Air Services Study will be published in late spring and will help inform a formal UK consultation process on the policy issues which need to be addressed in the preparation of a UK aviation policy for the next 30 years.

Transport

David Mundell (South of Scotland) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive whether there are suitable routes for road travel between the M74 and Dumfries other than the A701, A709 and A75.

Sarah Boyack: The A701, A709 and A75 are the principle routes between the A74 and Dumfries. All other routes are minor local roads more suitable for local traffic.

Transport

Tavish Scott (Shetland) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will provide details of the traffic growth forecasts used as the basis for formulating its transport polices and whether these figures are available on a regional basis.

Sarah Boyack: In formulating transport policy, the Scottish Executive takes account of the National Road Traffic Forecasts (Great Britain) 1997 amongst a range of other considerations. The NRTF is produced by the Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions, and provides the latest forecasts of the projected growth in the volume of motor traffic on roads in Great Britain until the year 2031. This forecast shows an estimated growth in traffic levels from 1996 to 2011 of 28% and from 1996 to 2021 of 46% based on the capacity of the current road network, current policies and current behaviour. The NRTF figures are available for Great Britain but cannot be robustly broken down for Scotland.

  The NRTF is currently being up-dated and revised by DETR with assistance from the Executive. The revised figures will provide more localised results. They are expected to be available later in the year.

Transport

Tavish Scott (Shetland) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive how many applications have been received for the public transport fund on an annual basis since 1998, how many bids have been successful and whether there are any plans to review the level of available funds to allow the implementation of more projects each year.

Sarah Boyack: There have been two Public Transport Fund competitions held to date. In the first competition, for projects commencing in 1999-2000, 17 bids were received with 12 awarded funding. 26 bids were received in the second competition for projects commencing in 2000-2001 of which 21 have been awarded funding. Details of a third competition for projects commencing in 2001-02 will be issued to local authorities shortly and the level of funding available will be considered as part of the forthcoming spending review.

Water Charges

Mr Kenneth Gibson (Glasgow) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what the percentage increase in water and sewerage rates will be for East of Scotland Water, North of Scotland Water and West of Scotland Water in 2000-01.

Sarah Boyack: Water and sewerage charges next year are to be agreed between the water authorities and the independent Water Industry Commissioner for Scotland, following Ministers’ determination of a charges cap. That determination will take place once advice from the Commissioner has been presented and fully considered. I am not, therefore, in a position at present to comment on the level of charges.

Water Charges

Mr Kenneth Gibson (Glasgow) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it will take to ensure that the percentage increase in water and sewerage rates next year is no more than the rate of inflation.

Sarah Boyack: I refer Mr Gibson to my parliamentary statement of 26 January.

Water Charges

Richard Lochhead (North-East Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive when it expects to receive the water commissioner’s recommendations on changes, when it will make public its response and what plans it has to consult the Parliament before finally setting the charges.

Sarah Boyack: I received the Commissioner's advice on strategic charge levels for the period 2000-02 on 22 December, and I announced my decision to Parliament on 26 January.

Water Charges

Fergus Ewing (Inverness East, Nairn and Lochaber) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive, in the light of its rejection of the water commissioner’s advice on the level of water charges for the next two years, what necessary function it considers that the office of the Water Commissioner serves.

Sarah Boyack: As I made clear in my statement to the Parliament on 26 January, the Executive did not reject the Commissioner's advice. I also made clear then that the Commissioner has a crucial role as the independent, professional economic and customer service regulator of the water authorities.

Water Charges

Fergus Ewing (Inverness East, Nairn and Lochaber) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will seek to prevent the North of Scotland Water Authority from holding public meetings in order to explain why water charges must increase or whether it will welcome public consultation of this nature.

Sarah Boyack: In my statement to the Scottish Parliament of 26 January, I set out how the Executive accepted the Water Industry Commissioner’s advice that substantial increases in water and sewerage charges are needed to fund essential investment programmes although I moderated the levels recommended by him.

  It is a matter for each authority how it discusses with its customers the need for investment to meet improved health and environment standards. NoSWA already carries out, and will continue, consultations with a diverse range of its customers and their elected representatives on this issue and I welcome this.

Water Charges

Fergus Ewing (Inverness East, Nairn and Lochaber) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will reduce the increase in water charges for the year 2000-01 within the North of Scotland Water Authority area to the average level of increase in the rest of Scotland.

Sarah Boyack: In accordance with the provisions of the Water Industry Act 1999, I announced on 26 January the Executive’s decisions on the framework for water and sewerage charges in the light of the Water Industry Commissioner's advice, received in December 1999. The level of increase for each water authority reflects the individual investment needs and circumstances faced by that authority. The Act provides that it is now for the water authorities to agree their detailed schemes of charges directly with the Commissioner, failing which the scheme is referred to Ministers for decisions.

Water Charges

Fergus Ewing (Inverness East, Nairn and Lochaber) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will disclose what level of increase in water charges was sought or proposed by the water commissioner for the year 2002-03 for each of the three water authorities in Scotland.

Sarah Boyack: All of the Commissioner’s advice to the Executive on charges was published on 26 January.

Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body

Holyrood

Ms Margo MacDonald (Lothians) (SNP): To ask the Presiding Officer whether the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body will supply MSPs in its report on the Holyrood Project promised at the end of February, details of which members of the Project Team have visited Barcelona and/or The Hague, and the costs of these visits.

Sir David Steel: The details which will not be covered in the report are as follows:

  


Team 
  Member
  

Date
  

Destination
  

Estimated 
  Cost
  



Project 
  Sponsor
  

July 
  1999
  

Brussels/Hague
  

£750
  



Project 
  Sponsor
  

December 
  1999
  

Barcelona
  

£980
  



Assistant 
  Project Manager
  

July 
  1999
  

Barcelona
  

£950

Holyrood

Ms Margo MacDonald (Lothians) (SNP): To ask the Presiding Officer what was the date of Enric Miralles’ last visit to Edinburgh.

Sir David Steel: On 14 and 15 February 2000   Enric Miralles visited Edinburgh in connection with the Holyrood Project. He attended various meetings including with the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body.